Makedonios strides into the Senate with his cane. The tap on the marble makes a sound that alternates with his footsteps. While straight and proud, there are circles under his eyes. He checks with the scribes to get caught up and arrives in time to hear Veroncia's outburst.

I grieve for the loss of a good man. But lets not let it cloud our judgment. Anyone can see that someone is trying to frame the Caesar for the death of Iakovos. It seems Iakovos got caught in the middle of a civil war that erupted inside this...'Organization.' And members of this group are trying to now push us to civil war.

Senators, we can not let this group survive. Neither faction. I ask that the Senate declare war upon the Organization. All members, regardless of faction, need to be arrested and put on trial. I see Aleksander is still here. Good. That is one less of them to track down. And any Senator who aids or abetts a member of the Organization should be brought up on charges.

How much longer are we going to allow this group to push this Empire towards a civil war? Everyone knows that the Caesar and I have our differences. But I will not stand here idly by while there is a weak attempt to frame him for murder.

Now, I ask for a moment of silence for Iakovos.